When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Acts 2:1-4 (NIV)
Collectively, we are the temple of God, meant to reflect His glory.
In the Hebrew Scriptures, wind and fire often symbolise God’s presence and the formation of His temple. God revealed Himself to Moses in the fire of a burning bush. A blazing fire appeared on Mount Sinai when God met His people after delivering them from Egypt. When the tabernacle was built, God’s presence was shown as a pillar of fire. Later, when Israel built a permanent temple, the same fire came down to fill it with His glory.
These “divine fire” moments foreshadow what takes place in Acts 2. Verse 1 can also be translated, “When the day of Pentecost was fulfilled.” But here, instead of fire resting on a physical temple, it rests on an unexpected group of people. God was forming a new kind of temple—not built with stone or confined to one place, but made of people filled with His Spirit and sent into the world. This living temple bears witness to the risen Jesus by reflecting His love. Today, we too collectively carry God’s presence so that others may encounter and know His glory through us.
How are you reflecting God’s glory where you have been placed—at work, in school, in national service, or at home? Take time today to wait upon the Spirit, desiring to be filled once again just as at Pentecost.
Holy Spirit, thank You that You have made us Your dwelling place. Fill me afresh today, as You did on the day of Pentecost. Help me reflect God’s glory wherever I am placed—in my home, in my workplace, and among my community. Teach me to live in the way of Jesus, so that others may see Your love through me and be drawn to know You. Make me part of Your living temple, carrying Your presence into the world. Amen.
“Mountains bow down as we lift Him up…”
— No Other Name, Hillsong Worship